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On Line: 02 September 2014 06:58 In Print: Wednesday 03 September 2014

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TEHRAN – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday ruled out any association between Islam and violence, saying, “No extremism has ever existed among Iranians and in Islamic rules.”

Rouhani said his initiative World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE), which was approved by the United Nations last year, demonstrated that despite the baseless Islamophobic and Iranophobic campaigns by the Zionist regime, neither Iran nor Islam seek violence or extremism.

Addressing a conference on World Mosque Day in Tehran on Monday, Rouhani said the Zionists’ propaganda against Iran and Islam is baseless since “we [Muslims] are moderate people and Islam is the religion of moderation; neither leaning towards left nor right.”

Rouhani said mosque is the best place for educating people to recognize right from wrong. He stated that “some mad, wild groups kill children and women, and destroy mosques or churches in the name of Islam. However, they are ruled by some mercenaries.”

He pointed to the occupation of the holy Al-Quds by the Israeli regime, saying Muslims would not let it remain under the Zionists’ occupation.

The president said Al-Quds was Muslims’ first qibla [a holy place towards which Muslims used to perform prayers. “Al-Quds is loved by all Muslims and it is our goal to perform prayers there.”

Rouhani also said, “We [Iran] will help Palestinians and we believe that Muslims will be victorious.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, President Rouhani pointed to the important task assigned to the religious officials and clergies, saying religious figures were the pioneers in the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. He called on them to make utmost efforts in safeguarding the Islamic Republic system.

Iran cannot close gates to world

He also underlined the significance of the Internet in acquiring knowledge, saying the youth in Iran need to learn the proper use of the Internet.

Rouhani said the Internet was important for all aspiring students and experts trying to access new knowledge and science.

The conference on World Mosque Day opened in Tehran at the presence of Palestinian Ambassador to Tehran and representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Tunisia.

Senior officials including presidential chief of staff Mohammad Nahavandian, the president’s special aide Hossein Fereidoun, head of the Foundation for Martyrs Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Ali Shahidi Mahalati also attended the event.

MD/PA

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